Posted: October 3, 2024

News for Sunday, October 6, 2024

Upcoming Events

10/04  1:00 p.m. A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Nancy Bowles (Church)
10/05  4:00 p.m. Music for a Fall Day Concert (Church)
10/06 12:00 p.m. Acolyte Training (Church)
10/06  4:00 p.m. Blessing of the Pets (Monroe Park)
10/13 11:45 a.m. Celebration of Ministry for Judy Bowman (Parish Hall)
10/13                      Confirmation Retreat #1 (TBD)
10/14  5:30 p.m. Spirited Sisters (Mosaic Restaurant at River Road Shopping Center)
10/26 10:00 a.m. Men’s Group (Ellwood Thompson’s)
10/27 10:30 a.m. Children & Youth Sunday (Church)
10/27 11:45 a.m. Youth Sunday Funday with Grace & Holy-ween (Monroe Park)
11/02 11:00 a.m. Bishop Sean Rowe Installation Service*
(Prelude begins at 10:00 a.m. | The Episcopal Church Center in New York City)
*There will be an extensive livestream production to support churchwide access and participation.
11/03 9:00 a.m. All Saints’ Sunday with Baptism & Stewardship Commitment*
(Parish-wide Brunch to follow worship in the Parish Hall. | Church)
*One service only. Daylight savings ends. Regularly scheduled ministries are off/closed this Sunday.
11/03 4:00 p.m. Parish Oyster Roast (All are welcome! | Sauer Family Home)

Save the Date

11/26 5:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Worship (Chapel)
11/29 12:00 p.m. Red Door & Shood Thanksgiving with River City Wood Fired Pizza
                             (Youth Service Opportunity/Sunday Funday | 8 N. Laurel Street)
12/01  9:30 a.m. Advent Wreath Making* (Parish Hall)
            11:45 a.m. *Following both worship services.

Sunday Bulletins are posted by Friday at ghtc.org/bulletin.

Highlights

Music for a Fall Day Concert – Saturday, October 5
Come and join three wonderful performers for a concert of musical treasures. Celebrated singers Chase Peak and Caroline Whisnant and the phenomenal pianist Daniel Stipe will present thrilling opera selections, favorite tunes from great musicals, and even some contemporary gems. The concert will begin at 4:00 p.m. and there will be a reception following the concert. Concert admission is $20. To purchase admission, please click here. Advance admission closes Friday, October 4th at 3:00 p.m. Admission is also available at the door.

Acolyte Training – This Sunday, October 6 at 12:00 p.m.
The acolyte program will be holding a training after this Sunday’s worship services in the Church. Acolyting is an excellent way to serve the church, and to learn responsibility and discipline. Age-appropriate duties may include giving alms basins to ushers, helping the priest to set the communion table, marking pews at communion, and as able, to lead processions carrying a cross. Younger children can start as junior acolytes carrying a torch or banner. Young people are trained before being scheduled to serve. How often an acolyte serves depends on the individual’s or family’s schedules, and regular participation is encouraged. If your child would like to serve as an acolyte, please call Dan McNamara at (804) 754-7319 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select Acolytes from the drop down menu.

Blessing of the Pets – Sunday, October 6
Sunday, October 6th at 4:00 p.m., you are invited to bring your leashed or crated furry friends to church for the Blessing of the Pets. The service will be held just outside the church entrance on Laurel Street. In the event of rain, we will hold the service in the Parish Hall.

Celebration of Ministry for Judy Bowman – Donate a Dish or Donate to Judy’s Purse
As Judy prepares to retire, we’re taking donations of dishes for her Celebration of Ministry on Sunday, October 13th, and we are also collecting a purse on her behalf. Finger foods are encouraged for the celebration. If you’d like to contribute a dish, please fill out a “Donate a Dish” slip found on the Connect Table in the Parish Hall, or you can contact Cathy Saunders at (804) 304-3929. If you would like to contribute to Judy’s purse, you can place your donation in the offertory plate, using an envelope addressed to the Treasurer. Donations can also be mailed to the church, addressed to “Mike Joyce, Treasurer” at the church, 8 N. Laurel Street.

New Weekly Service – Holy Eucharist & Healing Service on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.
A Service of Holy Eucharist with Healing continues every Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel. This service is open to anyone who desires prayers, healing and/or the Eucharist during the week. Sometimes the healing prayer requests are for medical illnesses, broken relationships, or seeking God’s guidance in one’s life. Knowing the hurt in the church over the last few years, this could be practice towards healing. Any prayer is welcomed by God. I hope you will consider coming and bringing someone too.

Outreach Grant Applications Now Open – Deadline to Submit is Friday, November 1, 2024
Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is accepting applications from individuals and community organizations to support outreach projects. The Outreach Grant Program provides financial support to non-profit organizations that promote Christian beliefs and principles through their services or programs. Please visit ghtc.org/grants to learn more and apply.

Parish Forum – Sundays at 9:30 a.m. through Sunday, October 13
Curious about the Eucharist? Join us for the Parish Forum series, “Gathering Around the Table: Exploring the Eucharist,” led by Father Brent Melton. Bring your questions and explore our worship together. The series runs Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall, from September 8th through October 13th. 

Children & Youth Sunday followed by Youth Sunday Funday with Grace & Holy-ween – Sunday, October 27
On Sunday, October 27th, children and youth will serve in leadership roles during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Following worship, we will have our annual celebration of “Grace and Holy-Ween!,” our Halloween fair and celebration for children. Middle school and high school students, please join us following the Youth Sunday service for a Halloween party, including lunch, games, a costume contest, and pumpkin carving. Bring your costume to change into after the service!

Seeking Volunteers for Making Red Door Staff Lunch
Red Door Ministry needs your help. Not only do we make a good lunch for around 150 guests every Friday, but we also need a lunch for the volunteers, too. We are seeking volunteers who would fix a simple (i.e. sandwiches) lunch on a Friday for around 15 Red Door volunteers before Red Door Lunch begins at 12:00 p.m. Red Door especially asks for your help through October. Please sign up for one or more Fridays by calling Betsy Featherstone at (804) 353-9760.

Stewardship Campaign Continues through November 3
The Stewardship Campaign began this past Sunday, September 29th at the Parish Forum Kick-Off with Father Brent and Nick Sollog introducing this year’s goals and theme, “Embracing Joy.” If you would like to make a pledge during the stewardship season you can mail a pledge card to the Financial Secretary in the parish office, drop your pledge card in the offering plate on Sunday morning, or make your pledge online here. Pledge cards are located at the Connect Tables outside of each of our church doors. Thank you to those who have submitted a pledge towards the 2025 parish budget.

Announcing the new Financial Administrator
“I am pleased to announce our new Financial Administrator, Mrs. Kathy Schultheis. Kathy joined our staff this week… Kathy has a proven track record as a skilled accountant with a passion for serving churches… As our Financial Administrator, she will be in the office on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday each week to perform payroll, pledges, income and expense reporting, and financial transactions. She will work closely with the Vestry, Finance Committee, Treasurer, the GHTC Endowment Board, and me. She joins us at a perfect time to assist in the transition and the preparation of the annual operating budget.” – Father Brent

Remaining Communications

Upcoming Events at The Pace Center
The Pace Center, our covenant partner for campus ministry, is an inclusive, multicultural community at VCU where students’ unique stories and gifts are valued. As a collaborative ministry of several Christian denominations, it emphasizes the importance of deep relationships and the inherent value of each individual. Please visit thepacecenter.com for more information on Pace’s upcoming events and how you can support students in our community.

Walk-A-Dog Fridays at 12:00 p.m., meet in front of The Pace Center
Food Donation Sign Up Sign Up to Donate on The Pace Center Website

Assistant Priest Position
The discernment committee has met multiple candidates for the assistant priest position and has decided not to move further forward with any of the candidates at this time. After reflection and prayer, we plan to repost the position following the new year in hopes of attracting a new pool of candidates graduating seminary in the spring. In the meantime, Father Brent is seeking a part-time priest to assist with pastoral care.

Investiture in Presiding Bishop-Elect – November 2, 2024
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issues a churchwide invitation to the November 2nd investiture service of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe. The planning committee for the investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe has released a batch of resources to aid Episcopalians in hosting local watch parties during the churchwide virtual event at 11:00 a.m. (ET) on Saturday, November 2nd. The service will be livestreamed on the event webpage as well as The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page.

Intinction Station – Now in the Sanctuary
Intinction during communion will continue to be offered, however it now takes place at a station beneath the lectern in the sanctuary. You have the option of coming towards the front of the church and before the chancel stairs, move to the left in front of the lectern so to receive the sacrament by intinction. Then proceed down the left aisle (passing the baptismal font) so to return to your pew. We look forward to having everyone receiving communion again in the main worship space. Questions? Visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Father Brent from the drop down menu.

Clothes Closet Temporarily Suspending Donations
Thank you for your generous donations to the Clothes Closet! Donations are being processed, and we are blessed to be at capacity. We ask that you hold off on bringing additional items until further notice. Please keep an eye out for upcoming communications regarding the Winter Gear Drive beginning in late October.

Other Communications

Whom do I contact for…?
If you have a question or need to contact GHTC, please use the following email addresses and their respective subjects to help direct you to the correct staff member(s):

Worship (including Holy Baptism and Marriage) | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Mission Questions | Chuck Bleick
Communications Questions | Communications Team
Formation Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Pastoral Care Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Music Questions | Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis
Paying Your Pledge | Judy Bowman
Property & Church Records Questions | Lauren Frazier
Vestry Questions | Meredith McGuire

For questions outside of these subjects please visit ghtc.org/contact or call (804) 359-5268.

Sign Up for Music eNews
Sign up for the Music eNews to stay connected with the vibrant musical life of our congregation. By signing up, you’ll receive exclusive updates on concerts, music-centered worship services, and other exciting music-related activities at GHTC. Visit our website at ghtc.org/music to subscribe. The sign-up form will appear on mobile devices at the bottom of the page.

Prayer Request – Online Form
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please visit our website at ghtc.org/prayer and fill out the form. Your requests are confidential and will be shared with Parish Administrator and clergy.

Please Wear Your Name Tags
This is a gentle reminder to please wear your name tags when you come to church. Grace & Holy Trinity is fortunate to have visitors and new parishioners joining us each week. Wearing your nametag is an important part of our hospitality to all and a visible reminder to newcomers and lifelong members alike that we are an open and welcoming community. Please pick up your name tags along the wall in the hallway as you enter from the Cherry Street parking lot, and please leave them there when you leave church. If you need a name tag for the first time or if you have misplaced yours, please contact Communications Associate Tyler Brady by visiting ghtc.org/contact.

Beware of Phishing & Other Scams
Please beware of any communication (email, phone calls, texts) purporting to be from members of our clergy, staff, or someone communicating on our behalf. No member of the Grace & Holy Trinity clergy or staff will ever contact you asking you “for a favor,” such as purchasing gift cards. Scammers use these tactics and are more common than you might think. Please be cautious and use good judgment.

Pastoral Care
Grace & Holy Trinity is committed to providing spiritual guidance, support, and a compassionate presence to all in times of need or spiritual growth. If you would like to speak with the clergy, please email pastoralcare [at] ghtc.org or call the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628.

For more information, visit the News page.